New Game - Scurvy Scallywags

There is a trick to get lots of gold I found out when you are on the boss fight of an island. The rock monster in the screenshot does not move around the screen like other monsters instead at regular intervals he turns all power tiles to stone.

So keep him away from you and just concentrate on collecting the gold.

You obviously need gold to purchase ship parts, weapons, new skills & an extra life heart if needed.